Support for Kosovo from Russia to Serbia

Kremlin spokesman Dmitriy Peskov denied allegations that Russia had a “destructive effect” on the tension between Kosovo and Serbia, saying: “We closely follow developments on how the rights of Serbs are guaranteed.” We support Belgrade in the measures taken, ”he said.

Speaking to reporters in the capital Moscow, Peskov made assessments of the growing tension between Serbia and Kosovo. Stating that they do not accept the accusations against Russia about the tension in the region, Peskov said: “Serbia is a sovereign country and it is wrong to seek destructive influence from Russia here. Serbia naturally protects the rights of Serbs living together in difficult conditions and reacts harshly when these rights are violated.

Tensions between Kosovo and Serbia have escalated following the arrest of former Serbian policeman Dejan Pantic. Reacting to Pantic’s arrest, Kosovo Serbs have been standing guard at barricades they erected at the Jarinje and Bernjak border crossings since 10 December.

The European Union (EU), NATO and the US called for the reduction of tensions in northern Kosovo and the removal of barricades; Serbia has requested NATO’s Kosovo Peacekeeping Force (KFOR) to deploy the Serbian army and police in northern Kosovo.

Serbia considers Kosovo, which unilaterally declared its independence in 2008, as its territory.
Serbia and Kosovo, which clash periodically, are trying to find a common path for the normalization of relations and eventually for the two countries to get to know each other, within the framework of the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Process started in 2011 under the mediation of the EU . (AA)